The Return of Statue Politics

Photo courtesy of The Morning Telegraph “We are members of the Rajapaksa Nikaya. (We) are robed in the Rajapaksa Nikya, members of the Rajapaksa caste.” Ampitiye Sumanaratana “He who has control over his hands, feet, and tongue, who is fully controlled, delights in inward development, is absorbed in meditation, keeps to himself and is contented – him do people call a monk.” The Buddha (Dhamma Pada, Bhikkuvagga) On the night of May 15, 2005 a 12 foot tall Buddha statue was set up near the public market in Trincomalee. It was the work of a group of monks, the North-East…

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